Published February 15, 2013
Reuters
German authorities said a case of H5N1 bird flu
had been discovered during initial tests on a poultry farm in the eastern state
of Brandenburg.
The case was discovered in a duck farm, which
was carrying out its own tests, the Brandenburg state agriculture ministry said
on Friday.
The H5N1 virus mainly affects birds but
occasionally jumps to people. Experts fear it may mutate into a form that could
spread easily among humans, who have no natural immunity against it.
The initial finding was confirmed by a state
laboratory, and final tests are currently being carried out, the state ministry
said.
The farm has been sealed off and its poultry
will be culled, the statement said.
The cause is unknown and an investigation has
started.
Bird flu is currently present in Asian countries
including China, Cambodia and Indonesia. It has also been reported in wild
birds in parts of Europe.
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/02/15/germany-discovers-bird-flu-case-on-poultry-farm/#ixzz2LMKBuPUL
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